For Nick

Hi all,

As some of you might recall, back when we were in Toronto, one of my regular opponents was Nick the Lemming.  Now, Nick is a fine fellow, with many excellent qualities.  He's a gentleman, a scholar, and a Yorkshireman, all of which make for an excellent gaming companion, and occasional foil  Despite the many fine games we've shared, however, Nick always struggled with a couple of fundamental flaws.  The first was a stubborn insistence that it was possible to make gravy out of fungus rather than meat juice, and the other was a predilection for Austrians.

The regiments Waldeck and Baden-Baden

Despite my many and various efforts, Nick adamantly refused to acknowledge that there was very little point in playing "French Germans", when one could simply play the French, who are far superior in every way.  Much as actual gravy is superior to mushroom sauce.  While I'm sure both 18th century Austrians and mushroom sauce have many fine qualities, they are neither gravy, nor French, and suffer from comparison to the original.

Likely the first of many Austrian / Reichsarmee units, as I have a buttload.

I make this post, then, with some degree of hesitation, in that I recognize the potential to harm a dear friend, by affirming  what would be considered, in any sane society, a crippling delusion.  Yet, I cannot help but hope that in some small way, a recognition of the value of the lesser option might be of benefit to him. 

No idea what happened to the light in this one, and flickr is being difficult.

This post's for you, Nick.  I hope it finds you well.

FMB